Budgets

Budgets

I want to begin by thanking Congress for your work on the 2014 appropriation for education. I appreciate the funding increases that you included in the fiscal year 2014 appropriation. However, it’s important to recognize that total discretionary funding for the Department of Education, excluding Pell Grants, remains below the fiscal year 2010 level, and I worry about the long-term impact of the continuing slide in Federal education funding on the health of our economy and our democracy.

Secretary Sebelius has been a great advocate for children and a fantastic partner with ED in our work together on early learning. I can't thank her enough for stepping up to do the right thing for children.

It's good to be back at the release of NIEER's annual state of preschool yearbook--though to be frank, I wish this year's analysis had more good news to report.

The Obama Administration continued to prioritize education in the 2014 budget released today by proposing key investments in education that would strengthen the middle class, grow the economy and provide opportunities for success to all Americans – especially our nation's most vulnerable children.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today detailed the impact of looming automatic budget cuts, saying they would force schools to lay off teachers and eliminate services for students while indiscriminately reducing programs that serve Americans of all ages.

I want to thank the Chairman, the Ranking Member, and other Members of this Subcommittee for your support. Over the past three years, we've protected students at risk while investing in education reform that supports bold and courageous leadership at the both state and local level.

The Obama Administration continues its commitment to education and an America Built to Last with the release of its 2013 budget today, building on responsible decisions that will put the nation on a path toward fiscal sustainability in the coming years.

Good morning Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Shelby. Thanks very much for having me here today to talk about education, the economy and the need to continue investing in our futureeven as Congress and the administration work together to reduce overall spending and manage our deficit.